Westwood makes fine start to title defence

Lee Westwood made an encouraging start to the defence of his Dutch Open title after firing a first round five-under-par 67 at Noordwijkse on Thursday.

Three weeks after retaining the European Open, the Worksop-born player is chasing another successful defence of a title.

He trails joint leaders Australian Stephen Leaney and Swede Richard Johnson by one shot despite putting ‘like a chump for most of the day’, according to the Englishman.

Westwood was joined in third place by 1988 champion Mark Mouland, Devon's Roger Winchester, Dane Anders Hansen and little-known local player Ralph Miller.

World number five Westwood bounced back in positive fashion after his disappointing 64th finish in the Open at St Andrews last week and was open about his dislike for the Old Course.

"It's horses for courses and St Andrews is not one of my courses," said Westwood. "The Open is a great tournament and one I would love to win. I think I will one day - or at least have a chance to, hopefully.

"I think Lytham will suit me next year and I like Birkdale, Muirfield, Turnberry, Carnoustie and Royal St George's."

Earlier, Justin Rose finally led a European Tour – if only for a few minutes.

Just three days before his 20th birthday, the Hampshire player, who shot to fame after finishing fourth as an amateur in the 1998 Open at Birkdale, shot a four-under-par 68 to share the lead with Lee Westwood.

Richard Johnsen, overnight leader of the Dutch Open. Allsport.

Rose’s time at the top of the leaderboard was short-lived though as Westwood collected another birdie at the 18th to finish with a 67.

Rose did not qualify for this year’s Open at St Andrews and had to return to qualifying school after missing 21 cuts after turning pro, but he finally demonstrated some of his potential at the Noordwijkse course.

He grabbed six birdies and would have led on his own but for bogeys at the fifth and 15th.

"The secret is that I'm driving the ball much better," said Britain and Ireland's youngest-ever Walker Cup player.

"That was the thing that was holding me back, but it makes the game so much easier when you're in position off the tee. My form has been coming back for some time. Last week I started 70-65 on the Challenge Tour but probably tried too hard over the last two rounds."

Rose is returning to the event where he made his debut as a professional player amid a media frenzy following his antics the week before. He opened with a 77 and followed that up with a superb 65 – although he still missed the cut by one stroke.

It then took him almost a year to win his first tour cheque – at Staley Hall in June last year.

Meanwhile Scotland’s Gary Orr was forced to pull out of the tournament after just one hole with an injury that could have huge financial implications for him.

The 33-year-old, who quit with a back problem, currently lies 11th on the Order of Merit and ninth in the qualifying table for next month’s £3million NEC World Championship in Ohio.

Only 12 Europeans can qualify for the event which awards $1m to the winner with only two more events after the tournament in Holland to come as counting events.

Orr’s withdrawal gives Paul McGinley, Andrew Coltart and Brian Davis the opportunity to overhaul him this week.

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